Charlie Rose Science Series
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11/13/2007
Norman Mailer
An Appreciation of Norman Mailer
Keywords:
An appreciation of Norman Mailer. Mailer died of acute renal failure on the morning of November 10, 2007, a month after undergoing lung surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York. He was 84 years old.
DVD
Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Audio
Audio available through Audible.com.
Audio available through Audible.com.
Transcripts
Transcripts available through Voxant.
Transcripts available through Voxant.
Watching and listening to the Appreciation of Norman Mailer interview was one remarkable experience. Thank you for this. And when is the video or DVD availabe. S. Friedman
Thank you! Watching and listening to the Appreciation of Norman Mailer interview was one remarkable experience. And when is the video or DVD available? S. Friedman
Your many interviews with Norman Mailer brought out the best of YOU Mr. Rose. You were always the top of your game when you had him on your show.
Dear Charlie, Your Mailer roundup of thematic selections from your eleven interviews with him over the years is among the high points of my television viewing since Philco brought out the first sets. How rarely we hear such unwavering intelligence woven from such a brilliant, I might say heart-rending edit, with Norman's body and brain barreling through the years. I shouted with delight to hear him select ANCIENT EVENINGS as one of his top three works. I find that book to be the Great America Novel--although it's about Egypt! Its Egyptians have greater weight on the page than characters by any other American novelist I can think of from Dreiser to the present, while his set-pieces about mummification, and a trip up the Nile, and about battle glow matchlessly, as he well knew. I met and dined and drank him a few times (when we both still drank), and reviewed his second novel BARBARY SHORE for the Colorado Springs Gazette (?) fifty-five years ago or so when that novel came out, and many others for Kirkus Reviews, including THE EXECUTIONER'S SONG and ANCIENT EVENINGS. Mine was the first review of either to appear anywhere and he wrote to Kirkus complaining that I'd reviewed the Gilmore novel as nonfiction rather than as a novel (it didn't say "novel" anywhere on that huge galley!). Let me add a second note about that book: I called his writing in it a "Dick and Jane" style, and he later explained that he'd kept his own tone very low so that Gilmore's love letters to his girlfriend Nicole would shine He did not want to outshine his existential hero. Thank you for a spellbinding hour and now I will order the DVD. Keep up the good work. Donald Newlove
Great tribute. Excellent analysis of how democracies develop and how the Iraq war is not working. Normand's analysis is excellent. But America is not the best country in the world as he claims. Based on what?, I am sick of hearing that. The Cold War is over. Even a critic like Normand repeats believes that. You know, the only public person who says it is not is Bill Maher. I think that the lack of critical self analysis is why the US is no longer #1.
I was shocked that such an educated and highly-regarded man would be so ill-informed as to quote Jesus as having said, "Money is evil," while you also sat by. The truth is, "The LOVE of money is the root of all evil."
I second, or its it third, the complaint/request above -- you do interrupt your guests, and often, at the most inopportune times. And I agree w/ those that laud you for the show this eve. Thanks
Dear Mr. Rose, Your remembrance of Norman Mailer was a stunning, flowing montage of conversations, all of which ought to be packaged into a video collection with accompanying transcripts. Anyone, who listened intently, who brought knowledge to their listening, and who could keep up with the logical transitioning from conversation to conversation, could only come away with a sense of awe, coherence, and inspiration. Right, Left, or Middle, no one could come away from hearing these conversations ignorant of the strength of mind and vibrance of life of Norman Mailer. Thank you for being a vehicle equal to the challenge of conversation with such as Norman Mailer, and for making it possible to participate and learn by listening.
Mailer is of the most productive writer I have heard of, he is so good that his departure will be felt throughout the writers community. His writings are so good that it is not possible to put his books away even for a brief moment. What a writer he was. I love listening to him speak about Mohammed Ali, the legendary boxer. I am sure if you interview Mohammed Ali he would express so much grief over the departure of Mailer. If there was a way to preserve productive people much like the Egyptians did it during their times using aldehide their dead kings and queens Mailer would certainly be amongst the recent preserved. Speaking of preservative, I am very dissappointed our intelligence has not managed to advance a medical technology theat would help preserve human beings alive. Some 3000 years ago the Egyptians invented mummy and since then we have not moved an inch over preservatives. Mailer will be missed.
Dear Norman: So often over the years you have gone beyond where I wanted to to, was able to go, or had the courage to go. But always, always you gave me something of value that I could use. You did change the conscience of my personal time for the better and I am grateful.
I remember when he came on and talked about Iraq. He always promised to come back on again so he could finish his thoughts. Pity he didn't.
dear Charlie, now that life has recalled Norman Mailer to one of the "many mansions". he was more than mischief to the vanities of power. the question is, who will pick up the pen and appear at the Oak Table too and proclaim the needs of sanity. but done worri mon! he was a rasta mon! anada rasta gwine tek e place! best always mike.
I was pleased to see the previous comment about interrupting your guests during interviews. I find this annoying and I am unable to hear the answer intended by the guest. This does not prevent me from tuning in to your show nearly every evening - but the interrputions have become more frequent. On the bright side - yours is the most interesting and informative show on the air.
The remembrance of Norman Mailer (aired November 13) was fantastic. I'd like to buy it the moment it is available on video. When will that be? What a tremendous intellect and humility Mailer possessed. Best regards, Buddy Levy Author of American Legend: The Real-Life Adventures of David Crockett and the forthcoming Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs.
When will the tape of Appreciating Norman Mailer, aired Tuesday November 13th. I would like to buy it. Thanks Richard Harvey
This was a life's work on Charlie's part too. What a fantiatic intellect Mailer was. And how comfortable was the great thought imbiber on TV. What a great idea it was to have him back repeatedly - at every book release it seems. And then to be able to cull through that. To see old strong Norman, and older weaker Norman, it was reallyl like a novel.
Wow!! Mailer was clairvoyant and prescient re Iraq. My respect for him skyrocketed exponentially. The Administration would have ignored him anyway, but it's too bad he wasn't in a position to be heard. Will add him to my unread stack with relish. Thanks for the Remembrance. His reincarnation ideas were a bit deflating - even dissonant with expected response on such a subject. Alas!
Charlie, I am sure you have gotten this feedback before but it obviously needs repeating: please, please, please stop interrupting your guests --especially at critical moments. Just when they are about to say something important (as in the Norman Mailer interviews) you interrupt them, often to make a different point that is not relevant to the topic. This seems to be ego at work: you are keener to make your own point than to elicit the best in your guests. You almost always have great guests on your show -- perhaps the best guests on television --but I rarely tune in. I used to many years ago. But I can't take the interruptions any more. They are head-bangingly frustrating. Please change your interviewing style and I'll tune in again. I am sure others will too. Sincerely yours, Steve